Name of Program: Kingwood Mad Hatter’s Luncheon

To be held Friday, March 23, 2007, at Kingwood Country Club

Leader’s Name and Title: Lanie Brown,

Guild Ambassadors Coordinator/Kingwood Ambassador

HGO Sponsor: Greg Robertson, Director of Development

Guild Board Sponsor: Lanie Brown

Where did Lanie get this idea?!?: The Mad Hatter’s Luncheon is an established fundraising event to support the New Orleans Opera. Annette Wood, one of Lanie’s neighbors from the Hi Neighbor – Kingwood social club, chaired the event several years when she lived in New Orleans. While Annette relocated to Kingwood as a result of Hurricane Katrina, she wants to continue many of her New Orleans traditions, including this fun luncheon. When she approached Lanie to help her chair the charity event, Lanie asked if the Opera could be the beneficiary…

Purpose of the Program: To add activities in areas outside the immediate downtown arts district to Houston Grand Opera Guild’s (“Guild”) fundraising efforts. To tap new resources for volunteers and revenue. To introduce opera to a new audience through a fun luncheon.

Objectives of the Program, 1st Year: To raise money to donate to the Houston Grand Opera (“HGO”) through an annual event coordinated by select Neighborhood Ambassadors Opera Fans groups. To establish the event as a fun and successful Guild fundraiser to benefit the HGO.

Description of the Program: The Mad Hatter’s Luncheon features lunch at a nice venue, champagne pre-reception for Benefactors (HGO season ticket holders, Guild members, event committee members, local celebrity judges, higher priced luncheon ticket holders, HGO special guests), silent auction with auction items donated by local business sponsors, fashion show by local boutiques, Mad Hatter’s hat contest with celebrity judges and prizes, and entertainment by HGO studio artists or local chorus members.

Benefits of the Program:

Guild and HGO: This is an established event with a new base of willing volunteers. Increased exposure of HGO and Guild to potential audience and supporters in outlying areas. New volunteers and increased volunteer hours through Guild membership as requested pre-requisite to serve in the Mad Hat Society (event committee). Financial donation to HGO.

Business Sponsors: Local businesses who participate by donating silent auction items and /or providing entertainment will get exposure to Guild volunteers and approximately 200 luncheon guests. Qualifying contributions will be acknowledged by the Guild in their publications and on their web site.

Volunteers and Participants: Volunteers and participants will make new friends through working together on this fun, worthwhile project to support the arts and benefit children; enjoy a fabulous, fun luncheon; become acquainted with the HGO and learn about opera.

Structure of the Program: The Mad Hat Society will plan and execute details of the luncheon. To date the event chairs have secured commitments from Kingwood Country Club, committee members, local celebrity judges, local press, local businesses for silent auction items, vendors for early showing of spring fashions…

Kingwood Mad Hatter’s Luncheon

Inventory Form

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Costs of the Program:

Guild budget: Upfront costs (invitations + postage, deposit on luncheon, etc.) will be paid by the Guild but refunded with proceeds from the fundraiser unless the Guild votes to pay some of the administrative costs in order for the fundraiser to net a larger donation to the HGO.

Underwriters’ contributions: The Mad Hat Society will seek underwriting for champagne pre-reception, auction items, hat contest prizes, decorations, etc.

Time: Volunteers on premiere event committee will document hours and mileage to help determine commitment for future committee members.

HGO assistance: Provide tickets to HGO performances and special events as auction items. Provide 1 celebrity judge for hat contest. Provide featured entertainment by HGO studio artists or local chorus members.

Estimated Profit, 1st Year: Goal is to donate $5000. Funds will be raised by selling luncheon tickets and staging silent auction. Proceeds will be given to the HGO as a donation from the Guild and will be earmarked for children’s programs in the Kingwood area.

Measures for Success: Success will be measured compared to goals. 1) Sell out venue with 200-seat capacity. 2) Make $5000 donation to the HGO. 3) Gain 10 new Guild members in the Kingwood area.

Submitted by (champion): Lanie Brown